This is the last chapter in the third year.
Cassi came to slowly. At first, it was just the feeling of having a body, then slowly sound began to trickle into her awareness. "Is she going to wake up soon?" That was James, she was sure of it. "I don't know." Madam Pomfrey. "I'm going to go tell the rest of the team." James again. Cassi heard the door to Madam Pomfrey's office open and then shut. Slowly, Cassi opened her eyes.
Sirius' heart nearly stopped with relief as he saw Cassi's sky blue eyes flicker open. She blinked a few times, then turned her head. When she saw him, her eyes widened. "Siri?" she whispered. His heart beat painfully fast in his chest at his nickname. She smiled faintly. Her hair glowed, framing her face like a halo. Her skin shone against the whiteness of her hospital gown, emphasizing the gentle curve of her neck, the soft jaw, her shell-pink lips, straight nose with its slightly turned up end, her high cheekbones, and her big blue eyes, staring up at him. Her eyes were the color at the height of the sky on a cloudless summer day. Her eyes closed, black lashes standing out against faintly rose-colored cheeks.
Cassi stared up at him, marveling at the color of his eyes. The light gray, flecked with silver, liquid as mercury. They showed concern. He was actually concerned for her. He smiled faintly, lips turning up, dimple appearing on his right cheek. Cassi's breath caught in her throat. His hair swung forward, dark and soft. Cassi closed her eyes so she would no longer see how…how truly handsome Sirius was. She hadn't ever had that thought.
She opened her eyes, and locked gazes with Sirius. Blue staring into gray. Before he quite knew what he was doing, Sirius bent forward, so close he could feel the heat off her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered close, and his followed suit. His lips brushed hers. Blood immediately rushed to Cassi's lips and her eyes flew open. Sirius pulled back. They both were blushing bright red.
"Siri, I-" Cassi was cut off by James flinging the door open, saying, "GUYS! She's awake!" The entire Quidditch team filed into the room. She spent the next fifteen minutes being congratulated on her spectacular catch, questioning, and well wishing. Somewhere in the midst of all the commotion, Sirius had slipped away.
"And no one knew whether or not you had actually caught it, but Sirius caught you before you fell too far. It was crazy, everyone was screaming, and you were bleeding, and Sirius was covered in blood, but then he started shouting that you had caught the Snitch, and so everyone started cheering. It was great, and we won!" James finished his tale of the Quidditch match. Cassi grinned. "We did win, didn't we?"
"You bet we did!"
the door swung open to reveal a very worried looking Lily Evans. "Cassi! You're alright! Thank goodness!" Lily rushed into the room, followed by Alice, who was staggering under the weight of what looked like half of Honeydukes. "We brought you some candy." came Alice's muffled voice. "Wow, really?" said Cassi, "I couldn't tell." All three girls laughed. James smiled at Lily. "Hey, Evans, you want to go to the celebratory party with me?" Lily raised an eyebrow. "I've already turned you down seven times today. What makes you think the eighth time will be different?" James seemed to deflate a little. He bid goodbye to Cassi, promising to save her some butterbeer.
Lily rolled her eyes. "That boy."
Third year was not particularly exciting for anyone after Cassi's near-death Quidditch experience. Christmas came in a whirl of festivities for everyone except Sirius and Cassi, who would have to return home.
The day they were to leave, Lily begged Cassi to stay with her family over break, but Cassi politely refused. It happened every year. Cassi would go and sit at the Christmas Party her mother threw, drink champagne, and be bored. This year was no different, except that she saw how the other pureblooded children accepted her into their circles. Narcissa was always vapidly sweet, and even Bellatrix grudgingly allowed her into the conversations. But Sirius was completely excluded. No one talked to him, and he talked to no one. Cassi went over to him that year. "Sirius?" He turned, mouth opened to retort, until he noticed who it was. He closed his mouth. "Yes?" he said. "I was wondering…if you wanted some champagne?" Cassi mentally berated herself for such a stupid excuse. "If I had wanted some, I would have gotten it, wouldn't I?"
Spring came to Hogwarts, and Lily moved their study groups outside, where it was warm. Quidditch was even more pleasant now, when it was warm. The final game against Ravenclaw was coming up, and Wood was training his team as hard as he could. Cassi carried a Snitch with her everywhere, practicing in the hallways, at meals, and even during particularly boring classes. The big game was coming up fast.
"AND THAT'S GRYFFINDOR FOR THE CUP!" screamed the announcer. Cassi landed, golden Snitch shining like a beacon in her hand. Royce and Malcolm lifted her up from the cheering crowd, and Delia, practically crying, handed the Cup to Cassi, who lifted it high into the air. It caught the sun and shone, reflecting golden light over her face. Sirius thought she had never looked more beautiful.
The party in the common room was still raging, even though it was one o'clock am. Cassi was sitting on the couch be the fire, watching James and Lily arguing. She giggled to herself, then took another swig of butterbeer. Someone came and sat next to her. She turned, and noticed it was Sirius. Deciding to be civil for once, she smiled, "We won, Sirius!" He grinned. "Really, I wonder what clued you in?" he said. Cassi grinned. She suddenly noticed that her face was only inches away from Sirius'. Before she could stop herself, she leaned forward and kissed him. He tasted like mint, and butterbeer, and something she couldn't quite name. almost as quickly as she had done it, she pulled back, blushing furiously. Sirius swallowed, then got up quickly. Cassi bit her lip.
The next day, she found out Sirius had asked out Marlene McKinnon.
The day came when she and her friends were preparing to leave for home. Exams were finished, everyone was packed, and the train was departing. Cassi sat in her compartment, laughing with Lily and Alice, talking about their plans for the summer, and their years. Lily was, naturally, complaining about James.
When they got off the train, Cassi said goodbye to her friends and met up with Drea. They found their parents, and Cassi stiffly said her hellos. Over her mother's shoulder, she could see Sirius and Regulus Black being greeted by their parents. Sirius made eye contact with her, but then quickly looked away. Cassi looked down, wondering if she would ever talk to him again.
Next up, fifth year!
